Exciting news from Sid's Piece, the pond has been dug out and enlarged.
We chose to do this in late October hoping it would cause as little disruption to the wildlife as possible. The pond has silted up over the years and become overgrown with reeds and rushes, and for a short time this summer dried up completely.
Most amphibians - frogs, toads and newts — come on to dryland for the winter and find a sheltered spot under a log or in a leafy corner. In the spring their urge to mate returns and they travel back to their favourite pond to breed - spawn. The resulting tadpoles need water to develop their bodies and limbs. The word 'amphibian' means 'double life' reflecting their ability to live both on land and in water.
Ponds are beneficial to wildlife — attracting insects — dragonflies, damsel flies, whirligig beetles and pond skaters. Then the insects attract birds; recently I saw a green woodpecker poking about, probably finding ants.
Deer and hedgehogs come to drink, all adding biodiversity to the Community Wildlife Area. It will be interesting to watch this bare patch of sticky ground develop into a pond enjoyed by all sorts of wildlife, we will try and keep a photographic record of the changes.
We will have our usual maintenance work party on Sunday 28th December. Come along and work off your Christmas excess.!
Meanwhile, best wishes to everyone who enjoys Sid's Piece and perhaps make your New Year's resolution to come and give us a hand.
Find us on Facebook or email us at swwag06@outlook.com
We chose to do this in late October hoping it would cause as little disruption to the wildlife as possible. The pond has silted up over the years and become overgrown with reeds and rushes, and for a short time this summer dried up completely.
Most amphibians - frogs, toads and newts — come on to dryland for the winter and find a sheltered spot under a log or in a leafy corner. In the spring their urge to mate returns and they travel back to their favourite pond to breed - spawn. The resulting tadpoles need water to develop their bodies and limbs. The word 'amphibian' means 'double life' reflecting their ability to live both on land and in water.
Ponds are beneficial to wildlife — attracting insects — dragonflies, damsel flies, whirligig beetles and pond skaters. Then the insects attract birds; recently I saw a green woodpecker poking about, probably finding ants.
Deer and hedgehogs come to drink, all adding biodiversity to the Community Wildlife Area. It will be interesting to watch this bare patch of sticky ground develop into a pond enjoyed by all sorts of wildlife, we will try and keep a photographic record of the changes.
We will have our usual maintenance work party on Sunday 28th December. Come along and work off your Christmas excess.!
Meanwhile, best wishes to everyone who enjoys Sid's Piece and perhaps make your New Year's resolution to come and give us a hand.
Find us on Facebook or email us at swwag06@outlook.com